Erin Martin’s inventive interiors have made her a design-world supernova, with carte-blanche clients and lavish coverage in the luxe shelter magazines. Unorthodox, irreverent and unfettered (she swears like a stevedore), Martin plots her trendsetting disruption from an office and shop in the staid Wine Country town of St. Helena.

“What I love about Napa Valley is that it’s worldly, yet down to earth,” says the designer, who cites the “jeans and Range Rover” style of the local gentry. Despite its vintner glam, the valley is still a little bit Mayberry, in her view, at least.

“I leave my house and car unlocked because I’m pretty sure my keys are in one or the other,” confesses Martin. “And if everything goes up in flames, 99 percent of us have each other’s backs.”

Not surprisingly, this style doyenne has considered opinions on the best venues in Napa Valley to shop, eat and rejuvenate.

Best restaurant for a casual meal: “Miminashi, a beyond-brilliant design by Michael McDermott. He has created probably the most beautiful restaurant in America. It’s like being in a temple. And the udon noodles will change your life. Also, Small World for take-out falafel, but you do not want to sit in there. I used to live in Israel and Morocco, and I love that food. When my daughter is home from college, Azteca Market in St. Helena. She swears they make the best burritos in the world.” Miminashi, 821 Coombs St., Napa. (707) 254-9464, www.miminashi.com. Small World Restaurant, 932 Coombs St., Napa, (707) 224-7743. Azteca Market, 789 Main St., St. Helena, (707) 963-4963.

Best reason to dress up for

dinner: “The Restaurant at Meadowood. (Chef Christopher) Kostow is truly king. He’s the best chef in the valley, hands down, and I used to date Richard Reddington (of Redd and Redd Wood). Kostow’s food is unique, and he wrote his book. He wrote it! That’s so rare.” The Restaurant at Meadowood, 900 Meadowood Lane, St. Helena, (707) 967-1205, www.therestaurantatmeadowood.com

Best excuse to blow a diet: “Gott’s, but in the best way possible. My new favorite is the Texas avocado burger, with spicy aioli.” Gott’s Roadside, 933 Main St., St. Helena, (707) 963-3486, www.gotts.com

Best store for provisions: “Napa Valley Olive Oil Manufacturing Co. I like those people. It’s their show, and if you don’t like it, get out. If you do, welcome. You can drink the olive oil, and they also have really good focaccia and burrata.” Napa Valley Olive Oil Manufacturing Co., 835 Charter Oak Ave., St. Helena, (707) 963-4173.

Best place to find a gift: “Martin, of course. Pottery, marijuana posters, jewelry, it just depends on what I think is pretty. Sonia Lub’s jewelry makes me so happy. Also, Steed Fine Hoarding and Tack, Dione Carston’s store. I think she has one of the best eyes in the world. We love and hate each other because if we go shopping, we want the same thing. Her horse whips look really good over a bed.” Martin, 1350 Main St., St. Helena, (707) 967-8787, www.erinmartindesign.comSteed Fine Hoarding and Tack, 1020 Fulton Lane, St. Helena, (707) 738-6969, by appointment.

Best boutique for clothes: “Veronica Beard, one of the Swanson girls, sells her stuff at Pearl and she has the best clothes. And Chantal Duboc has a space inside Martin for her clothing. The girl’s got style for days. She’s French and gorgeous, which is not fair, and her stuff is feminine. If I see one more person in Lululemon pants. … I told my daughter, who’s 18 and living in New York, you need to put on your jeans and button them up so you know how you’re doing.” Pearl Wonderful Clothing, 1219-C Main St., St. Helena, (707) 963-3236. www.pearlwonderfulclothing.com

Best way to unwind: “Tomoko Simons at Calistoga Ranch is the queen of making anyone beautiful.

Janet is the author or co-author of more than two dozen books on food, beer and wine, including Cheese & Beer, Cheese & Wine and Fresh from the Farmers’ Market. She writes a weekly cheese column for the San Francisco Chronicle and is the recipient of three James Beard Awards and the IACP Bert Greene Award. She teaches cooking and cheese-appreciation classes around the country. (www.janetfletcher.com)